Plank or rail fence



T. H. S YMINGTON PLANK OR RAIL FENCE Filed Jan. 17. .1951

s Sheets- Shet 1 gmnnto'a 7207 as 253/ 752 2507 v I 1mg Dec. 13, 1932.HSY N TON 1,890,629

PLANK OR RAIL FENCE Filed Jan. 17 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 zww yw'v iPatented Dec. 13, 1932 UNETE tseaeza THOMAS sYlvirive'roiv, orBALTIMQR'E, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- irmrrs, or one-Herr'ro'nnrrrr 1%.,SYIJEENG1SN AND ONE-HALF TO THOMAS n. SYMINGTON, Born ofBALTIMORE, MARYLAND PLANE on RAIL FENCE Application filed January 17,1931. Serial No. 509,515.

The present application is to some extent a continuation in part of myco-pending application for plank or rail fence construction, filed July18, 1929 and given Serial No. 879,227, and also an improvement over whatis disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 509,516, filedJanuary 17th, 1931.

Said first named application discloses the idea of providing a fencepost with a plurality of U-shaped retaining members within which areslidably engaged boards or planks which constitute the fence, the planksor boards being held in association with the retaining members by meansof staples driven into the edges of the boards or planks in straddlingor embracing relation to the retaining members. Said first namedco-pendfence greatly increased. 3

ring application describes, particularly, the

use of a composite or concrete fence post in which the substantiallyU-shaped retaining members have their ends embedded. I have discoveredthat a cement or concrete fence post of this character is open toserious objections principally on account of the fact that cement ishygroscopic, the result being that in freezing weather chipping andcracking may occur. Furthermore, I have discovered that it is always adisadvantage for av plank or board tolie flatly against a post of anydescription, either wooden or composite. The second named co-pendingapplication discloses, broadly, the idea of spacing the boards away fromeach otherand from the post but the means is different from what isembodied in the present application. 7

It is with the above facts in view that I have devised the presentinvention which has for its general object the provision of a fenceconstruction in which use is made of wooden posts and retaining membersfor planks or boards, the retaining members being of such constructionand shape and so related to the post and the boards that there will bethe minimum area of contact, there being consequently practically noopportunity forwater to remain in contact wit-h either the post or theplanks to any great extent, it beingconsequently clear that rotting ofthe woodwill be prevent-ed and the length of life of the An importantobject of the invention is to provide a fence construction in which theretaining members for the planks or boards are partially embedded withinthe post so that any lateral or other twisting or distortion effeet willbe avoided, there being a positive holding action at all times.

Another object of the invention is to providea fence constructionemploying retaintion so that the contact with the planks will be only inthe form of lines instead of areas.

Another object of the invention is to proing members for planks orboards which are 50 cylindrical in shape or circular in cross secvide afence construction having positive" Still another object is to provide amethodi of separating overlapping planks or boards so that Water cannotremain entrapped between them.

An additional object is to provide a fence which will be extremelysimple and inexpen-i' sive to make, neat and attractive in appearance,eiiicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the. foregoing and other objects and advantages,the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and thearrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a fragment of a fence costructed inaccordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a verticalcross sectional view taken on substantially theline 2-2 of Fig-" ure '1,

Figure8 is a horizontal cross section taken on substantially the line3-8 of Figure 1 and illustrating one method of separating the planks orboards,

Figure 4 is a front elevation of what is disclosed in Figure 3, Figure 5is a cross sectional View similar to Figure 3 illustrating anothermethod of sep- 5 arating theplanks'o'r boards,

Figures is a front elevation of'what'is disclosed in Figure 5,

Figure 7 isafragmentary -viewsimilar-to Figure Qshowing a modification,M Figure 8 is an elevation similar to Figurel showing anothermodification, o Figure 9 is a section on the line- 9'9'of Figure 8, YFigure 10 is a cross seem-611 611 -the line 10- 10 of Figure 8 andshowing still another slight variation, g

Figurell is a rragmnmry'vie showing a method of temporarily'securing theplanks or boards, and Y v I Figure12 is'a 'plan viewof whatiss'hown"inFigure 11.

Referring more i l'aa'rtic'ii'larlytof the draw- "i'ngs the nu'inerallO'designatesafficepost which is preferably 'ofwoodand" of an of A lthewellknownvarieties for the purpose. It

' is of "course conceivable that this" post might "be' ofanydesiredcross sectionalshape but "as a 'matter of fact it ispreferablyround or may" be of uniform 'or 'va'ryingkliameter; this fdetail beingimmaterial In order toshe'd at 0 posite' sides 'as shew' at llthough itmig li t' be simply pointed if desired. Howev erfin" actual practiceIhave discovered that "b 'sim'ply b'eveling 'off -opposite'f sides at an'appiopriate angle thereis little liklil'ioodof checking.

be of composite con'strueumr- 'as' disclosed in said co 'pe'ndingapplication but as a matter "suitablematerial and as itis 'less liableto to'it's' organic nature.

Regardless of what the composition of the post may be, I provide'itwitlrplurality of retaining members 12- 'ofsub'stantiallyrectangular shape orinsome respects U- shape and which are anchored within the post. bydriving if-theuiost be 'ofwood or by embed- I preferred form oftheinven'tiom these resomewhat lo'opshape and t-hey are formed of wireor rod of suitable gauge d'epending upon the weight and size oftheplanks-or boards "113' to-'be"secured andivhichconstitute the fence.-Ilogically these' retaining members should be galvanized or otherwisetreated'to render them substantially weather proof.

the preferred formoff'the invention the members 12 meme ofexactlyU-sh'ape inas-' much as they compriseb'ight'portions 1 1 from which extendarms 15 which are not straightbut which are offset as at 16, the ends 17being embedded within the post by driving them into holes previouslybored in the post, the diameter of these holes being slightly lessthanthe diameter of the-ends '17. It will be noted-that the end portions17 are closer together than the arms 15in order that theretaining-members willlbe,.in effect, rectangularinshape for supportingand retaining the planks l3.

, As-disclosed, the planks or boards 13 are arranged in overlappingrelation and rest within tlre retaining members 12. In view of the factthat the retaining members are formed'of wire of--suitable gauge'it isquite "apparent'that there will be only line contacts of'the. planks or'boards with the lowerarms 15' of the retaining members and therefore IIn order-to separate the planks or boards '1'3,-I may" adopt either oneof various" expecl-ients. In- FigureS I have disclosed the idea"'of'employing a wedge l8 "which is driven in "between the ends-of theboards or planks "where they overlapat the post. After this'cylindr'i'cahan'd it may also' 'be noted that it wedge'is' driven inI'contemplate forcing in a staple l9- which embraces the "bight portion"of the retaining member 12 with its arms passi'i'ig through one plankor board and into 'formed-open at'its center so as not to interfere-withthe driving of the staple 19' into place. The wedge does not remainperma -nently but'is removed after the staple is It is even conceivablethat the 'p'ostmi'ght driv'enin.

Instead of using a single wedge'as'disv A p I v I "blosed'in'Figuresfi'and-usemay be made of "of fact I- reallypr'efer' thatit'besimplybf wood inasmuch as this is a welrrecogmzed apair-ofwedges 2Oand'2l as clearly illustratecl'im Figures 5 and 6, these'wedgesliket I vW H wise being-intendedto be withdrawnafter 1n ury or damage in freezingweather owing the staple" has" been driven in. In this *instaple'isto be'drivenin.

"In some inst'ances-or'under some circumg I, a. v v st'ancesit maybedesired to use retaining ding 1f1tbe of composite material. In themembers of a simpler form thanthose illusy y v "t'rated at 12 andtherefore referenceis made taining membersare what may becalled'oftoFigure" 7 wherein there is disclosed a"re- "taining member 22 which isof'tlie same general" characteristics above described except that iti'sof'simpleU shapeinstead of having oii'set or angulara'rms' defining apartially :c-los'edfrectangiilar bightportion. A staple 23 shown'in'this figure applied with the use of either a singleweclge or a pairandem- "bracing or straddling the retaining member,

"passing through the outermost board 'tor plank and penetrating theunderlying plank will be a space between them in or board. To allintents and purposesthis figure shows just what is above described except that the arms of the U-shaped retaining member are not offsettoward each other.

Inview of the fact that the arms of the staples 19 are rather closetogether it may occur, particularly with the use of planks or boards ofcertain kinds of wood, that there may develop a tendency of the wood tosplit between the arms of the staples and the ends of the boards. Inview of this circumstance I contemplate, as an alternative arrangement,making use of the expedient disclosed in Figures 8, 9 and 10 wherein areillustrated the post 10, planks or boards 13 and retaining members 22 asin Figure 7. However, instead of making use of staples such as shown at19 in Figures 1 t 6 and at 23 in Figure 7, the boards contactin the postare secured thereto as by ordinary nails 24 while the other or overlyingboards are held in place by nails 25 which penetratingly engage thefirst mentioned boards. If preferred the nails 25 might be of sufficientlength to penetrate the post also as shown in Figure 10. Wedges 20 and21 may be used in exactly the same manner as disclosed in Figure for thepurpose of holding the boards separated while the nails 25 are drivenin. By referring to Figure it will be noted that the preferred nailarrangement is to arrange them so that they extend toward the axis ofthe post thereby providing clearance with respect to the securingmembers 22 so that the nails may be more readily driven home. Of coursethe wedges are removed in exactly the same manner as above describedafter the nails 25 are in place, their sole function being to spread theboards apart so that there the completed fence.

Instead of employing securing members penetrating the boards and post, anail or the like may be inserted and forced transversely downwardlybetween the overlapping ends of the boards or planks as clearlyindicated at 26 in Figures 11 and 12. Of course in either instance theeffect is the same, that is to say the ends of the planks or boards areforced apart so that there will be an air space between them which willpositively preclude any accumulation of water from rain or moisture fromdew between them. Even when the outermost planks or boards are forcedagainst the retaining members as they are bound to be upon the insertionof the nail, it is apparent that there is no opportunity for water tocollect in view of the fact that the boards or planks will contact withthe bight portions of the retaining members along mere lines incontradistinction to areas. It is also apparcut that the boardsthemselves are held out of contact. As the nail is partially embedded inboth boards they will of course be prevented from longitudinaldisplacement.

The form of the device shown particularly in Figures 11 and 12 is ofspecial advantage in hunting country where it is frequently desirable tobe able to pull out the planks or boards in order to provide a gap in afence. An inspection of these two figures will disclose the fact thatthere are no staples holding the planks in place, sole reliance for thesecuring action being placed upon the downwardly extending verticalnails which under ordinary circumstances will hold the planks or boardsin place but which will permit ready removal in case of necessity ordesirability. In these two figures the nail is intended to remain inplace instead of being a mere tool like the above described wedgesemployed while other fastening ,means is placed in position.

From the foregoing description and a study of the-drawings it will beapparent that I have thus provided a very simple and inexpensive fenceconstruction which will be par ticularly advantageous and desirable notonly at ordinary locations but also where it is desired thataccessibility to a field or the like be possible. It will also be notedthat ample provision has been made in every respect to avoid actualcontact of the boards or planks usedin the fence so that there will beno possibility of an accumulation of a film or layer of water from rain,dew or otherwise, which would operate, naturally, to cause a deterioration or rotting of the material. It is thought that the construction,operation and advantages should be readily apparent to one skilled inthe art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of theinvention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely anexemplification of the principles involved as the right is reserved tomake all such changes in the details of construction as will widen thefield of utility and increase the adaptability of the device providedsuch changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention orthe scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim: p

1. In a fence construction, a post, a plural ity of vertically spacedretaining members carried by the post, said retaining members havingbight portions and offset arms and a pair of board members having theirends overlapped and engaged within each retaining member, the offsettingof said arms pre-.

venting contact of the boards with the post.

2. In a fence construction, a post, a plurality of vertically spacedretaining members carried by the post, said retaining members havingbight portions and offset arms and a pair of board members having theirends overlapped and engaged within each retain- 1 ing member, theoffsetting of said arms pre-.

post, and a pair of boards having their ends overlapped and engagingwithin each retaining member and held out of engagement with the post bysaid angular arms.

4. In a fence construction, a post, a plui rality of substantiallyU-shaped retaining members mounted thereon, a pair of boards havingtheir ends overlapped and engaged within each retaining member, saidoverlapping ends being separated, and means extending transversely ofthe barrels for holding them against relative longitudinal movement.

5. In a fence construction, a post, a plu- V rality of vertically spacedretaining members thereon of substantially U-shape, a pair of boardshaving their ends overlapped and fitted within each retaining member,said overlapping ends being in spaced relation, and means penetratinglyengaging the overlapping ends of the boards in transverse relationthereto for holding them against relative longitudinal movement.

6. In a fence construction, a post, a plurality of vertically spacedretaining members thereon of substantially U-shape, a pair of boardshaving their ends overlapped and fitted within each retaining member,said overlapped ends being out of contact, and securing means at theside of the retaining member and penetratingly engaging the boards.

7. Ina fence construction, a post, a plurality of vertically spacedretaining members thereon of substantially U-shape-, a pair of boardshaving their ends overlapped and fitted within each retaining member,the

boards being out of contact, and a securing member straddling theretaining member and penet-ratingly engaging both boards.

8. In a fence construction, a post, a plurality of substantiallyU-shaped retaining members carried thereby, a pair of boards havingtheir ends overlapped and engaged Within each retaining member, saidboards being spaced apart, and securing means penetratingly engaging theboards at opposite sides of the retaining-member for maintaining theboards against relative longitudinal movement.

9. The method of building a fence from boards and a post havingsubstantially U- shaped retainingelements projecting therefrom,comprising inserting the ends of the boards Within said retainingmembers in overlapping relation, spreading the overlapping ends apart,and inserting fastening meansthrou gh said ends.

